Sydney’s world-renowned sail-like Sydney Opera House and arched Harbour Bridge dominate harborside landmarks like Circular Quay port. Meanwhile, Royal Botanic Garden hosts vibrant floral collections while Taronga Zoo provides home to famous Australian species.
Short drives from the city will bring you to charming mountain villages, towering escarpments and ancient forests where you can hear aboriginal creation stories while sampling bush tucker on guided tours. The Dhaka to Sydney route is now available through Cathay Pacific.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is an energetic precinct on Sydney’s waterfront filled with numerous tourist attractions, and caters for every taste and age group. Dine by the water, stroll paved waterfront promenades or admire skyscrapers across its glittering waters. Families will appreciate its array of family-friendly restaurants; adults may want to unwind with a craft beer from one of Sydney’s microbreweries before sampling upscale dining experiences found here.
Within 10-minutes from Sydney CBD, this precinct can be reached easily via train, bus or ferry. Visitors arriving by train should disembark at Town Hall Station and walk through Chinatown or Barangaroo until reaching their destination; buses regularly leave Circular Quay with stops near Bathurst Street Market Park Druitt streets & bus terminal. Finally for those travelling via ferry they can disembark at King Street Wharf Pyrmont Bay Wharf or Barangaroo Wharf for easy access!
Madame Tussauds Sydney is an iconic attraction on Darling Harbour waterfront and provides visitors with the chance to meet some of Australia’s and internationally-recognized personalities, from rock legend Michael Hutchence and wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, all the way down to young fans who can step into their favorite athlete, music artist or world leader! Younger visitors especially will enjoy this interactive wax museum that gives visitors a great glimpse into famous lives from past and present!
Harbourside Shopping Centre offers plenty of retail therapy. With renowned brands like Cotton On, Valleygirl and YD available here as well as men’s, women’s and children’s clothing available from Between the Flags or Billabong as souvenirs or an Akubra hat at Kangaroos & Koalas gift shop; Harbourside is sure to satisfy your shopping desires!
Wander through sparkling fountains and the sparkling piers of Cockle Bay on a relaxing harbour cruise or explore one of Australia’s heritage docks at the Australian National Maritime Museum for some land-based history. Get up close with Australia’s aquatic inhabitants at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or meet their bushy counterparts at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo before relaxing in the tranquil Chinese Garden of Friendship; its peaceful green space features waterfalls, exotic plants and Koi ponds that follows Taoist principles of balance through earth, fire water and wood – perfect after all that action.
Royal National Park
Royal National Park is just an hour’s drive from Sydney and boasts stunning clifftops, idyllic beaches, tranquil bushland, incredible swimming holes and patches of Gondwana rainforest. Established in 1879 as the second oldest National Park after Yellowstone – making this idyllic retreat the ideal spot for hiking, walking, swimming, exploring picnicking or simply unwinding from urban living and enjoying nature’s backyard!
Royal National Park can best be experienced via car, but public transit options also exist. Take the T4 train from Central to Loftus, Engadine, Waterfall or Otford before walking or cycling into the park from there. There’s also a ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena that provides a beautiful and relaxing way into Royal National Park; alternatively there are tour operators offering guided visits of this scenic wonderland.
Royal National Park offers many popular activities and destinations for tourists to experience, such as Garie Beach. This beautiful beach offers swimming lagoons and is great for surfing. Another major draw here are Figure 8 Pools; naturally formed tide pools popularly used as Instagram photo backdrops during high tide. However, swimmers must remember not to swim here during high tide as the tidal flow could pose serious hazards.
Wattamolla Beach in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden is another spectacular beach, boasting an elegant lagoon that meets the ocean by only a thin strip of sand. Popular among Sydneysiders during summer days for relaxation or surfing/kayaking activities.
Curracurrong Falls is another breathtaking waterfall located close to the ocean that features crystal-clear water surrounded by lush bushland – this gorgeous spot shouldn’t be overlooked! It’s definitely worth stopping by!
Chinatown
Sydney boasts Australia’s oldest and largest Chinatown. This bustling district features authentic Chinese restaurants and shopping. Additionally, Sydney hosts the Chinese Garden of Friendship park which fuses elements of both Chinese and Australian cultures into one beautiful space. Chinatown can best be explored via walking tour; this allows visitors to uncover its many hidden noodle stalls, Asian street food stands, hidden bars and underground spaces tucked away here – as well as being the place where Chinese New Year is celebrated for an entire week!
Chinatown offers guided tours that explore its historic streets and buildings or an interactive scavenger hunt that allows participants to learn about the area while unravelling cryptic clues. If tea ceremonies are your passion, don’t miss the Chinese Museum of Australia which makes for a must-see visit!
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is both an attraction and means of crossing waterways, serving as one of the world’s largest steel arch bridges. For a thrill seeking experience, adventure seekers can try Bridge Climb, where participants are equipped with protective gear and secured to a safety line as they climb its archway.
Other popular attractions in Sydney include Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium which are home to some of the most diverse marine creatures ever found anywhere. If you prefer something less aquatic-related, visit the National Maritime Museum where visitors can board a replica of Captain Cook’s ship Endeavour or view a collection of art and artifacts.
Surfers and swimmers alike flock to Sydney’s many beaches for surfing and swimming alike, such as Collaroy, Dee Why and Narrabeen which feature lifeguard-protected beaches with toilets and showers for visitors – along with red and yellow flags warning against riptides and shark attacks – plus horse riding, picnicking and volleyball playing activities available on these spots.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship offers an oasis of serenity within Sydney city itself. Created by landscape architects from Guangzhou, China – Sydney’s sister city – to symbolize friendship between both cities and Guangdong province of China; their design follows Chinese philosophical principles of yin and yang; peaceful pathways, lush green flora and koi ponds are reminders of China’s natural beauty.
Wandering peaceful lakes and ponds, tree-covered hills, limestone rocks, waterfalls and pavilions will help soothe any tensions. Kids will delight in Emperor’s Quest; an exciting scavenger hunt that provides clues that they can follow throughout the garden. Open year round and well worth its small entry fee fee is this hidden piece of magic located right in Sydney!
At the Chinese Garden of Friendship there are three free guided tours available that cover Chinese Garden Discovery Tour, Plants in a Living Landscape Tour and Rocks in a Living Landscape Tour. Additionally you can rent traditional Chinese costumes for kids at an extra charge and feed koi fish in Lake Brightness.
Chinese gardens were designed in accordance with Chinese architecture and Taoist philosophy of yin and yang, offering visitors a harmonious combination of water, plants, stone buildings and buildings. Visitors can relax under willow trees while listening to water melodies or viewing delicate Chinese sculptures adorning the landscape.
Spend an afternoon relaxing and listening to the sound of water and birds as you stroll along peaceful lakes, ponds, waterfalls and trees – it makes an excellent photo spot!
For a relaxing experience, visit the garden’s teahouse and sip on some authentic Chinese tea (yum cha). There are also numerous dining options nearby including Darling Harbour and Chinatown as well as Gardens by the Lotus restaurant which specializes in delicious dumplings and Sichuan cuisine.